point

1[countable]a thing that someone says or writes giving their opinion or stating a factShe made several interesting points in the article.Itake your point(= understand and accept what you are saying).He's just saying that to prove a point(= to show his idea is right).OK, you've made your point!see alsotalking point

main idea

2[countable]the pointthe main or most important idea in something that is said or doneThe point is you shouldn't have to wait so long to see a doctor.I wish he would get to the point(= say it quickly).I'll come straight to the point: we need more money.Do you see my point(= understand)?I think Imissed the point(= did not understand).You have a point(= your idea is right)—it would be better to wait till this evening.“There won't be anywhere to park.” “Oh,that's a (good) point(= I had not thought of that).”It just isn't true. That's the whole point(= the only important fact).“He's been married before.” “That's beside the point(= not important).”I know it won't cost very much but that's not the point(= not the important thing).

purpose

3[uncountable,singular]the purpose or aim of somethingWhat's the point of all this violence?There's no point in getting angry.Idon't see the point of doing it all again.The point of the lesson is to compare the two countries.ThesauruspurposeaimintentionplanpointideaThese are all words for talking about what someone intends to do or achieve.purpose what something is supposed to achieve; what someone is trying to achieve:The purpose of the visit was to see the campus in person.aim what someone is trying to achieve; what something is supposed to achieve:Our main aim is to increase sales in the Northwest.purpose or aim?Your purpose for doing something is your reason for doing it; your aim is what you want to achieve. Aim can suggest that you are only trying to achieve something;purpose gives a stronger sense of achievement being certain. Aim can be someone's aim or the aim of something. Purpose is more usually the purpose of something; you can talk about someone's purpose but that is more formal.intention what you intend to do:I have no intention of going to the wedding.She's full of good intentions but things rarely work out for her.plan what you intend to do or achieve:There are no plans to build new offices.intention or plan?Your intentions are what you want to do, especially in the near future; your plans are what you have decided or arranged to do, often, but not always, in the longer term.point (somewhat informal) the purpose or aim of something:What's the point of all this violence?The point of the lesson is to compare the two countries.idea (somewhat informal) the purpose of something; someone's aim:The whole idea of going was so that we could meet her new boyfriend.What's the idea behind this assignment?point or idea?Point is a more negative word than idea. If you say What's the point…? you are suggesting that there is no point; if you say What's the idea…? you are genuinely asking a question. Point, but not idea, is used to talk about things you feel annoyed or unhappy about:There's no idea in…I don't see the idea of….Patternswith the aim/intention/idea >of>doing something somebody's intention/plan to do something to have a(n) purpose/aim/intention/plan/point to achieve a(n) purpose/aim

detail

4[countable]a particular detail or factHere are the main points of the news.Can you explain that point again?

quality

5[countable]a particular quality or feature that someone or something hasTact is not one of her strong points.Read the manual to learn the program's finer points(= small details).Living in Portland has its good points, but the weather is not one of them.see alsoselling point

time

6[countable]a particular time or stage of developmentThe climber was at/on the point of death when they found him.We were on the point of giving up.Many people suffer from mental illness at some point in their lives.We had reached the point when there was no money left.At this point in time, we just have to wait.At this point, I don't care what you decide to do.see alsohigh point,low point,saturation point,starting point,sticking point,turning point

place

7[countable]a particular place or areaI'll wait for you at the meeting point in the arrivals hall.the point at which the river dividesDraw a line from point A to point B.No parking beyond this point.synonyms atThesaurusplacesiteareapositionpointlocationscenespotvenueThese are all words for a particular area or part of an area, especially one used for a particular purpose or where something is situated or happens.place a particular point, area, city, town, building, etc., especially one used for a particular purpose or where a particular thing happens:This would be a good place for a picnic.site the place where something, especially a building, is or will be situated; a place where something happened or that is used for a particular purpose:They've chosen a site for the new school.area a part of a room, building, or particular space that is used for a special purpose; a particular place on an object:the hotel reception areaMove the cursor to a blank area on the screen.position the place where a person or thing is situated; the place where someone or something is meant to be:From his position at the top of the hill, he could see the harbor.The position of someone or something is often temporary: the place where the person or thing is at a particular time.point a particular place within an area, where something happens or is supposed to happen:the point at which the river divideslocation a place where something happens or exists, especially a place that is not named or not known:The company is moving to a new location.scene a place where something happens, especially something unpleasant:the scene of the accidentspot a particular point or area, especially one that has a particular character or where something particular happens:I proposed to your mother on this very spot 50 years ago.venue the place where people meet for an organized event such as a performance or a sports event:Please note the change of venue for this event.Patternsat a/the place/site/position/point/location/scene/spot/venuein a(n) place/area/position/location/venue the place/site/point/location/spot/venue where… the right place/site/position/location/spot/venue a central site/position/location/venue the/something's exact/precise place/site/position/point/location/spotfocal point,jumping-off point,three-point turn,vanishing point,vantage point

direction

8[countable]one of the marks of direction around a compassthe points of the compass (= N., S., E., W., etc.)

in competition

9[countable](abbreviationpt.)an individual unit that adds to a score in a game or sports competitionto win/lose a pointAustralia finished 20 points ahead.They won on points(= by scoring more points rather than by completely defeating their opponents).see alsobrownie point,match point

11[countable]a small dot used in writing, especially the dot that separates a whole number from the part that comes after ittwo point six (2.6)a decimal pointWe broadcast on ninety-five point nine (95.9) FM.see alsobullet point

to repeat an idea, argument, etc. many times to emphasize it, especially when it has already been mentioned or understoodI don't want to belabor the point, but it's vital that you understand how important this is.

to not be important or closely related to the main thing you are talking aboutYes, I know it was an accident, but that's beside the point.They took my words out of context, but that's beside the point.